BEWARE “After The Tribulation” Film
HERESY!
“The Rapture simply
cannot happen at any moment.”
—Pastor Steven L. Anderson (01:27:05
video)
David J. Stewart | January 2013
1st Thessalonians 4:17-18, “Then we which are alive and remain shall be CAUGHT UP together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”
The Word of God teaches that the Rapture could happen at any time, suddenly, without signs or warning. This is the basis of Biblical prophecy concerning the Lord's return, that is, that Christians all be on their toes, preaching the gospel, walking uprightly and faithfully serving their Master, because their Lord may surprise them at any time by returning...
Matthew 24:42-44, “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”
Only a Pretribulation Rapture supports this vital Bible doctrine. If, as Pastor Anderson falsely teaches, the Rapture cannot happen at any time, then the element of surprise is completely gone. Thus, a Postribulation Rapture heresy completely ignores all of the Bible's teachings that the Lord Jesus Christ may return at any time, suddenly and without warning. This sole truth by itself totally eradicates, destroys and disproves the false teaching that the Rapture comes after the 7-year Tribulation.
Something that often happens when a person searches for the truth is that they become side-tracked. Such is the case with Pastor Steve Anderson in Arizona and Alex Jones in Texas. The Alex Jones Show has been chocked full of religious garbage over the past year. I admire Alex Jones and Steve Anderson tremendously for their zeal and fighting spirit; but they are wrong on this vital doctrine of the Christian faith. Pastor Steven Anderson said on The Alex Jones Nightly News (February 1, 2013) that his new film, After The Tribulation, is based upon “tons of Scriptures”...
“The film does two major things—number one, it completely demolishes the fraud that is the Pre-Trib Rapture. You know, this lie that says that Jesus Christ can come back at any moment, and that we're going to be taken out of here before the Antichrist, before the global government. So about half the movie is spent just completely destroying that idea; just a ton of Scripture is used to prove that false. And then the other half of the movie pretty much just explains how all this is going to play out...” [emphasis added]
SOURCE: Pastor Steven L. Anderson, The Alex Jones Nightly news; February 1, 2013
Pastor Anderson calls the Biblical doctrine of a Pre-Tribulation Rapture a demonic deception from Satan intended to pave the way for the Antichrist. Steve Anderson is preaching heresy, lies and unbiblical rubbish! Anderson's alleged “ton of Scripture” doesn't even include one verse from the Old Testament. Pastor Anderson's 1:53 hour film, 'AFTER THE TRIBULATION,' doesn't contain even one Old Testament reference... NOT ONE SCRIPTURE FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT!!! Revelation 16:9-11 says that God's judgments upon mankind will cause people to gnaw their tongues in pain, yet they still won't repent toward God. This happens during the 7-year Tribulation period, which is Daniel's 70th week in prophecy. The film doesn't even mention Daniel's 70th week, because he doesn't understand the Bible and is misleading millions of people. This alone blows Steven Anderson's ridiculous movie sky-high right out of the water! As they used to say when playing the game Sink The Battleship... “I SUNK YOUR BATTLESHIP!!!”
Plain Evidence Of A Pre-Tribulation Rapture
I can PROVE to you that the Rapture comes BEFORE the Tribulation if you'll just think with me a bit. Let's logic through this for a moment. Let's establish what we all agree upon as professed Christians:
First, we all agree concerning the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. There's no debate on this issue. The debate is whether or not the Rapture happens BEFORE or AFTER the 7-year Tribulation period. So if the Rapture happens AFTER the Tribulation, then Christ's Second Coming happens at the SAME time as the Rapture.
Second, we all agree that there will be a Rapture. I heard Alex Jones and Steve Anderson say today on the February 1, 2013 Alex Jones Show that they aren't denying the Rapture. They sincerely think that the Rapture will occur AFTER the Tribulation period. The Bible disagrees with them!
Having established two vital doctrines that we DO agree upon, now read the following popular and often misunderstood Scripture passage about two being in a field, one taken and the other left...
Matthew 24:38-42, “For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.”
The preceding Bible passage is NOT speaking about the Rapture of the saints; but rather, the separating of the tares from the wheat at the Second Coming of Christ. This truth is evidenced by verses 38-39, likening these unsaved people (tares) with the unsaved who perished in Noah's time. Verse 42 does not refer to Christians by use of the words “your Lord.” Jesus is the Lord of all humanity. Philippians 2:9-11 teaches that every human being will ultimately bow their knee and confess with their tongue that Jesus is Lord, then God will cast the unbelieving into the Lake of Fire forever.
Now here's my point and the PROOF of a Pre-Tribulation Rapture: If the Rapture happens AFTER the 7-year Tribulation period, then the tares will be taken at the same time as the Rapture of the saints, which makes absolutely no sense. If God Raptures the saints at the time of His Second Coming (i.e., a Post-Tribulation Rapture), then what would be the purpose of separating the tares from the wheat? The Bible plainly teaches that the separating of the tares from the wheat is NOT the Rapture. The Rapture is when the saints are “CAUGHT UP” (1st Thessalonians 4:17). In sharp contrast, at the onset of Christ's Millennial reign, God is going to separate the wicked (tares) from the wheat (righteous)...
Matthew 13:36-42, “Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”
God is going to remove the wicked! Clearly this passage of Scripture does NOT refer to the Rapture. So why would God Rapture the righteous and then separate the wicked tares from the righteous wheat all at the same time as the Second Coming of Christ? How could this even be possible? So if the Rapture follows the Tribulation, then God would have to remove the righteous and the wicked, so there'd be NO ONE LEFT! Remember the film series called, “LEFT BEHIND?” Well what would be the purpose of Rapturing the saints and leaving the wicked behind if Christ is simultaneously returning to set up His Kingdom? If you think this through, it is so obvious that a Post-Tribulation Rapture is impossible, ridiculous and totally unbiblical. Honestly, the Post-Tribulation crowd are comical and woefully ignorant of the Bible.
Now a Pre-Tribulation Rapture makes perfect sense, because the unsaved wicked are left behind at the Rapture to suffer through the 7-year Tribulation which follows. That makes sense! That's what the Bible teaches! Alex Jones said on his February 1, 2013 show that “I know deception from the truth... anybody who has discernment would be freaking out over this” (i.e., a Pre-Tribulation Rapture). If you logic through the facts that I just gave you from the Bible, you can only conclude a Pre-Tribulation Rapture. The tares will be separated from the wheat at the END of the 7-year Tribulation when the Lord returns at the Second Coming. After the Battle Of Armageddon the tares will be separated from the wheat. The wheat (righteous) left behind are those people who will be saved during the Tribulation period. They will enter into the millennial Kingdom when Christ shall reign from Jerusalem over the entire earth.
The information I just presented to you DIDN'T come from John Darby nor Cyrus Scofield but from my own Bible study. The evidence is irrefutable. There's no way that God is going to remove the saints and the tares at the same time!!! It would totally defeat the purpose of separating the wicked from the righteous to begin with. Common sense dictates that Christ's Second Coming will be VERY different than from the Rapture.
Again, what would be the purpose of separating the tares from the wheat at the same time that the saints are being removed from the sinful world? It would make absolutely no sense for the Rapture to occur at the same time as the separating of the tares from the wheat. This is solid proof that the Rapture must happen BEFORE the 7-year Tribulation period.
The Bible Teaches A Sudden, Imminent Rapture Without Any Signs
The basis of all Bible prophecy is that Christ's return is imminent, coming without warning or signs, and will happen suddenly at any moment. This is to keep Christians on their toes, faithfully serving their Master, not knowing when He's going to return. The Bible plainly teaches this doctrine...
Matthew 24:42-44, “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”
The preceding passage of Scripture 100% proves the Pretribulation return of Christ. If Steve Anderson and Alex Jones are correct in their Postribulation heresy, then we would know absolutely that Christ cannot return until after the Rapture (which would make Matthew 24:42-44 impossible). The very essence of Christ's coming is that it is without advance notice or observation. How can we watch for the Lord's imminent and sudden return if He cannot return until after all the tragic events of the 7-year Tribulation period (as taught in the book of Revelation)? The only logical and workable conclusion is a Pretribulation Rapture, that is, the Rapture will take place BEFORE the Tribulation Period.
The events of the Tribulation are shocking—the sun and moon will be darkened, the earth will be scorched with the sun's heat, scorpion-like flying creatures will sting and torment men for 5-months (and people won't be allowed to die), billions of people will suffer inexplicable pain and torment, earth's oceans and lakes will be poisoned, forests of trees will burn down, cities and skyscrapers will crumble from earthquakes—these events are all prophesied in the book of revelation, and much more. If the Rapture comes after (i.e., a Postribulation Rapture) all these horrible things, then we will have plenty of advance warning before Christ returns. This would go contrary to everything the Lord taught about coming back suddenly at any time.
The plainest teaching of the Bible cries out a Pretribulation Rapture!!! The Lord may come back now, without warning. This is what the Bible teaches. Thus, we are admonished to be on our best behavior, faithfully witnessing the gospel, walking uprightly in the Lord, and honoring God with our words, thoughts and deeds in all that we do. This life will soon be over. We all have 24 hours in a day. We all have the same temptations. We all have the same Bible. How tragic then it is, that less than 5% of all born-again believers do 95% of all the work for Jesus Christ to get souls saved and help others in Jesus' name. Life is a matter of priorities, which is determined by one's degree of faith. Everything that we do, or don't do, is dictated by one's faith, or lack thereof.
28 Distinctions Between The Rapture And Christ's Second Coming
The following 28 distinctions help to grasp the differences between these two great future events. Keep in mind that the RAPTURE happens BEFORE the 7-year Tribulation period; and then after the 7-years the glorious SECOND COMING (glorious appearing) of our great Lord, King and Savior will happen, when the entire world beholds Him...
The Rapture |
The Second Coming |
At the Rapture, Jesus comes FOR His Church. (John 14:1-3, 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17) | At the Glorious Appearing (Second Coming), Jesus comes WITH His Church. (Zechariah 14:5, Colossians 3:4, Jude 14, Revelation 19:14) |
At the Rapture, Christians are caught up to meet Jesus in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) | At the Glorious Appearing, Jesus' feet touch the earth (Zechariah 14:4, Revelation 19:11-21) |
At the Rapture, Christians are taken first and unbelievers are left behind. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) | At the Glorious Appearing, the wicked are taken first, but the righteous (the tribulation saints) are left behind. (Matthew 13:28-30) |
At the Rapture, Jesus will gather His Bride, the Church, unto Himself in preparation of the Marriage of the Lamb. (Revelation 19:6-9) | At the Glorious Appearing, Jesus will execute judgment on the earth and establish His Kingdom. (Zechariah 14:3-4, Jude 14-15, Revelation 19:11-21) |
The Marriage of the Lamb takes place in Heaven AFTER the Rapture of the Church. (Revelation 19:6-9 | War on earth comes AFTER the Marriage of the Lamb at the Glorious Appearing when the King of Kings and Lord of Lords lays the smackdown on evil! (Revelation 19:11-21) |
The Rapture will happen in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye (Blink. It's over!). (1 Corinthians 15:52) | The Glorious Appearing will be a slow coming. Everyone will see Jesus coming with great power and great glory! (Zechariah 12:10, Matthew 24:30, Revelation 1:7) |
At the Rapture, only those who are looking for Him (Christians) will see Him. (1 John 3:2, 1 Corinthians 15:52) | At the Glorious Appearing, every eye will see Him and those who have rejected Him will wail. (Revelation 1:7) |
At the Rapture, Jesus will descend from Heaven with a shout (calling for the saints at the resurrection). (1 Thessalonians 4:16) | At the Glorious Appearing, no shout is mentioned, although the Lord does slay the wicked with the sword of His mouth. (Revelation 19:11-21) |
At the Rapture, a resurrection will take place. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Corinthians 15:51-54) | At the Glorious Appearing, there is no resurrection spoken of. (Zechariah 12:10, Zechariah14:4-5, Revelation 1:7, 19:11-21) |
The Rapture can happen at any time...maybe even now which is why we are to be WATCHING for the return of Jesus Christ! (Revelation 3:3, 1 Thessalonians 5:4-6) | The Glorious Appearing will occur at the end of the seven-year tribulation period. (Daniel 9:24-27, Matthew 24:29-30, 2 Thessalonians 2:3-8) |
At
the Rapture, no angels are sent to gather the Church. |
At the Glorious Appearing, angels will be sent to gather people together for judgment. (Matthew 13:39, 41 & 49, Matthew 24:31, Matthew 25:31, 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10) |
At the Rapture, those who died in Christ will return with Jesus to recover their resurrected bodies. (1 Thessalonians 4:14-16) | At
the Glorious Appearing, Christians will return with Jesus already in
their resurrected bodies riding on white horses. (Revelation
19:11-21) White horse for Jesus or no white horse for Jesus? |
At the Rapture, Jesus doesn't return riding a white horse. | At the Glorious Appearing, Jesus will return riding a white horse. (Revelation 19:11) |
The Rapture will bring with it a message of hope and comfort. (1 Thessalonians 4:18, Titus 2:13, 1 John 3:3) | The Glorious Appearing will bring with it a message of judgment. (Joel 3:12-16, Malachi 4:5, Revelation 19:11-21) |
World is deceived. (2 Thessalonians 2:3-12) | Satan is bound. (Revelation 20:1-2) |
Focus: Lord and Church. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) | Focus: Israel and Kingdom. (Matthew 24:14) |
No signs precede Rapture. (1 Thessalonians 5:1-3) | Signs precede Second Coming. (Luke 21:11,15) |
Tribulation begins. | Millennial kingdom begins. |
Removal of believers. (1 Thessalonians 4:17) | Manifestation of Christ. (Malachi 4:2) |
Jesus claims His bride. | Jesus comes with His bride. (Revelation 19:6-14) |
Marriage Supper Of The Lamb follows the Rapture. (Revelation 19:9) | The Great Supper of the wicked follows the Tribulation. (Revelation 19:17) |
The world will not see Jesus at the Rapture; but rather, believers ascend go to meet Him in the air. (1 Thessalonians 4:17) | Jesus will descend bodily and visibly for all to see, just as He ascended bodily and visibly. (Acts 1:9-11) |
The Judgment Seat Of Christ follows the Rapture. (2nd Corinthians 5:9-11) | The Judgment of the Nations follows the Tribulation (Matthew 24:32-46) |
Believers receive a new, immortal, glorified body fashioned like unto the Lord's. (Philippians 3:21; 1 Corinthians 15:51-54) | Saints saved during the Tribulation enter into the Millennial kingdom with their earthly bodies. (Isaiah 65:20) |
The Antichrist is revealed after the Rapture. (2 Thessalonians 2:8) | The Antichrist is defeated and cast into the Lake of Fire at the Second Coming. (Revelation 19:20) |
Israel is persecuted during the Tribulation. Two-in-three Jews in Israel are killed. (Zechariah 13:8-9) | Israel is regathered. (Jeremiah 23:5-8) |
World government (New World Order) follows the Rapture. (Revelation 13:15) | Christ's reign and government follows the Second Coming. (Daniel 2:34-35) |
World famine, pestilence, war and sorrow follow the Rapture. (Matthew 24:6-10; Luke 17:31) | World peace follows Christ's Second Coming when He reigns from Jerusalem (Isaiah 11:6) |
Clearly, clearly, CLEARLY, there is absolutely NO WAY that the Rapture can happen AFTER the Tribulation! The serious and diligent Bible student who considers all of the preceding 28 differences and distinctions between the Rapture and the Second Coming of Christ can only conclude a Pre-Tribulation Rapture!!! Here is a helpful prophecy chart by Pastor Harry A. Ironside (1876-1951) showing the timing of Biblical events.
The Pre-Tribulation Rapture Plain And Simple
(an excerpt from the 338-page book, I Know Who Holds Tomorrow)The Doctrinally Perverted Film “After The Tribulation”
In a recent 1:53 hour movie titled, “After the Tribulation: The Pre-Tribulation Rapture Fraud Exposed (full version),” co-producers Paul Wittenberger, Steven L Anderson and Chris Maple attack the Biblical doctrine of a Pre-Tribulation Rapture. On the February 1, 2013 The Alex Jones Show, Pastor Steve Anderson attempted to bash and deny the Biblical truth of a Pre-Tribulation Rapture, calling it a “fairy-tale.” Alex knows enough Bible to be dangerous, so he relies heavily upon Steve Anderson's corrupt theology. Pastor Steven L. Anderson of the Faithful Word Baptist Church in Arizona makes bold, accusatory, lashing statements against the Pre-Tribulation Rapture, calling those who adhere to it “ignorant.”
Pastor Anderson claims that there's not one verse anywhere in the Bible which teaches a Pre-Tribulation Rapture. As I showed you earlier, there are indeed Scriptures in the Bible from which this important doctrine is inferred. The careful student of the Bible through reason and deduction can only establish a Pre-Tribulation Rapture. Proponents of a Post-Tribulation Rapture cannot see the forest for the trees. They are stuck on Matthew 24, failing to rightly divide the Word of God.
I've watched Steve Anderson's film, AFTER THE TRIBULATION, a few times and he simply DOESN'T establish his case at all, neither for a Post-Tribulation Rapture nor against a Pre-Tribulation Rapture. Steve Anderson's best effort to prove His point is to take Matthew 24 and Mark 13 (parallel passages) out of context. Both of these passages speak of the separating of the TARES (unsaved, wicked) from the WHEAT (saved, righteous). These passages do NOT speak of the Rapture of THE SAINTS (7-years earlier at the Pre-Tribulation Rapture). Pastor Anderson CONFUSES the separation of the tares and wheat from the Rapture of the saints. Carefully notice that it's the TARES taken up at the Second Coming of Christ; whereas it's the SAINTS who are taken up at the Pre-Tribulation Rapture.
Steve Anderson also confuses the Tribulation from the Great Tribulation. Anderson bases his movie on the phrase “after the tribulation” in Matthew 24:29...
Matthew 24:29, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.”
So Anderson deducts that God's wrath comes after the Tribulation, which he suggests means that the saints WON'T be raptured. Anderson teaches that the saints will go through tribulation as Christians suffering for Christ. The truth is that Pastor Anderson fails to understand and distinguish between the first peaceful 3 1/2 years of the Tribulation period, verses the horrifying last 3 1/2 years of the Tribulation, known as the “Great Tribulation.”
Matthew 24:21, “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.”
The peace process ends when the Antichrist stands up from the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem and claims to be god, demanding worship of his image or death (Revelation 13:15). The event is known Biblically as “The Abomination Of Desolation.” In the film, Dr. Kent Hovind denounces the Pre-Tribulation Rapture. Kent Hovind is wrong about a Young Earth and he's wrong about the Rapture. The Bible teaches an Old Earth. Dinosaurs never co-existed amongst mankind.
Pastor Anderson admits on The Alex Jones Show that he's going against nearly every Independent Fundamental Baptist preacher in America by denying a Pre-Tribulation Rapture. Certainly, our doctrinal beliefs ought to finalize in personal Bible study and not upon what men have taught us; however, any Bible student would be a total fool to disregard the diligent hard work, intense life-long studies and exegesis of great theologians concerning the Scriptures. I would be VERY leery about adopting a new doctrine. Steve Anderson ought to stop calling himself a “Baptist,” because the historical Baptist position is a Pre-Tribulation Rapture. Dr. John R. Rice (1895-1980) wrote over 200 books, founded over a dozen churches and led numerous city-wide campaigns to bring America to Jesus Christ. Brother Rice taught a Pre-Tribulation Rapture! Was this mighty scholar and great man of God wrong? I'm not trying to be unkind, but today's doctrinally messed-up Bible teachers and wayward preachers DON'T STUDY!!!
The following is Dr. John R. Rice's explanation of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture...
“The rapture will come, as most reputable premillennial Bible teachers agree, before the Great Tribulation time. Then after the Great Tribulation (which will occur in Daniel's seventieth week, as I believe), Christ will return with these saints and with angels to fight the battle of Armageddon, to destroy the kingdom of the Antichrist, and to set up His throne at Jerusalem and reign on the earth for a thousand years of joy and peace. There are two separate phases of Christ's coming. That for which we wait is His coming into the air to receive His saints. Then after the tribulation time, those who will have been converted on the earth will long for Christ's return, with us, to set up His kingdom. It is this second phase of Christ's coming, when He shall come literally to the earth to take charge and to reign, that is discussed in this passage.”
SOURCE: Evangelist John R. Rice (1895-1980), chapter 3 from the excellent book, We Can Have Revival Now.
Amen! How about the legendary pastor, author and man of God, Pastor Lee Roberson! Was Dr. Lee Roberson wrong to teach that the Church WON'T go through the Tribulation period? Read Dr. Roberson's inspiring book, Some Golden Daybreak!
Alex Jones' claims that he doesn't believe in evolution, but he continually teaches it, referring to man's caveman-like instincts, plainly denying the Genesis account of creation. Mike Adams has been plugging Conscious Cosmology on Infowars, which is total New Age heresy! Alex Jones increasingly has been treading on holy ground by trampling down the truth of God's Word with his various heathen ideologies, false doctrines and heretical philosophies on life. Alex knows his stuff when it comes to the New World Order; but he is a lost sheep when it comes to the truth of God's Word in the Bible. Alex claims to believe that the Bible is inspired, which is awesome, but he needs to stop making BOLD spiritual statements unless he knows they are true! Alex dogmatically makes a lot of bold statements that are total heresy; such as, his claim that the Pre-Tribulation Rapture doctrine is of the Devil.
Pastor Steve Anderson claims that John Darby (1800-1882) put out his own version of the Bible and was the first to introduce the idea of a Pre-Tribulation Rapture. That's not completely true, the doctrine of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture has been held by the New Testament Church for the past 2,000 years! Steve Anderson said on The Alex Jones Show that he concluded a Post-Tribulation Rapture at age 12 when he read Matthew 24. My friend, you'd better read and consider the ENTIRE Bible before concluding any doctrinal position. By itself, Matthew 24 would seem to indicate a Post-Tribulation Rapture, but if you study the Greek, it teaches a Pre-Tribulation Rapture.
I can confidently say now after carefully listening to Alex Jones regularly since 2002 that he is NOT a born-again Biblical Christian. Alex talks about the blood of Jesus. Alex says that he loves God. Yet I've never heard Alex present a clear understanding of what it means to be a Christian. Unsaved Catholics praise the blood of Jesus. Unsaved Muslims say they love God. Unsaved Church of Christ attend church every Sunday. Unsaved Seventh-Day Adventists are very religious. But they're all on their way to Hell, failing to have been born-again by the Spirit of God, by faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ as full-payment for our sins.
Like many people, Alex has adopted the philosophy of Christianity, but he doesn't have the Holy Spirit in Him (Romans 8:9). If he did he'd have the spirit of truth and would teach the Biblical gospel instead of a New Age mumbo-jumbo. Alex Jones and Mike Adams teach the heresies of religious humanism and New Age. It is my opinion that Alex Jones and Mike Adam's use religion as a tool to further their work, but they've never been born-again (John 3:5-7). I say this kindly and with much respect for Alex's incredible work and defense of liberty. I am obligated as a minister of the gospel and as a Christian to refute heresy wherever it rears its ugly head. The Biblical gospel is very plain. You need HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS!!!
Concerning the Rapture, one's position DOESN'T affect their salvation. Although the doctrine of WHEN the Rapture occurs doesn't have anything to do with being saved, it is an important doctrine to one's growth as a Christian. Those who adhere to a Post-Tribulation philosophy tend to also be corrupt in other areas, particularly on salvation. Many proponents of a Post-Tribulation Rapture have the false notion that enduring (persevering) is required for salvation.
Hence, I find that Calvinists tend to deny the Pre-Tribulation Rapture and hold to an unscriptural Post-Tribulation heresy. It is a false teaching that a person must endure until the end to be saved. The truth is that we are saved solely by Christ's righteousness and not by our own self-righteousness in any way. I KNOW that I am saved because God PROMISED to save those who believe on the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:30-31; Romans 10:9-10; 1st Corinthians 15:1-4). As far as I know, Pastor Steve L. Anderson is correct on salvation; but Dr. Kent Hovind's Christian Science Evangelism (CSE) teaches the heresy of Lordship Salvation and Dr. Hovind has recently adopted a Post-Tribulation philosophy (see Dr. Hovind interview in After The Tribulation film). Hovind used to teach the Pre-Tribulation Rapture, but has changed his views, as are many apostate Christians today.
BEWARE of the heretical After The Tribulation movie! The Bible clearly teaches a Pre-Tribulation Rapture. That is, the Rapture of the saints (the Body of Christ) will be CAUGHT UP to be with the Lord BEFORE the 7-year Tribulation. If you truly STUDY the Scriptures, rightly dividing the word of truth, then you can only logically conclude a Pre-Tribulation Rapture. If the Rapture were to come after the 7-year Tribulation period, there are many illogical problems with that teaching. When would the Judgment Seat Of Christ (2nd Corinthians 5:9-11) and the Marriage Supper Of The Lamb (Revelation 19:9) take place? Why would Jesus Rapture all the saints up into the air as 1st Thessalonians 4:17 teaches, just to simultaneously return to the earth to set-up His millennial Kingdom? (the stone in Daniel's dream that smashes the image; Daniel 2:31-34). A Post-Tribulation Rapture makes no sense. It just doesn't fit Biblical prophecy if you compare Scripture-with-Scripture. I'll get into this more in a moment, but first here's some helpful articles to read...
- The Pre-Tribulation Rapture Plain And Simple (excerpt from I Know Who Holds Tomorrow)
- Some Golden Daybreak (by Pastor Lee Roberson. Will The Church Go Through The Tribulation?)
A DEFENSE OF THE PRETRIB RAPTURE (Matthew 24:36-44 speaks of Pretribulation Rapture)
'Abomination Of Desolation' Proves Pre-Trib Rapture (1,290 days AOD to Christ's return)
Pastor Anderson Says, “Christ May Return At Any Time,” Is A Fairy-Tale!
In his film, After The Tribulation, Pastor Steven Anderson challenges the Biblical teaching that Jesus may return at any time without warning. Anderson calls the Pre-Tribulation Rapture a “fairy-tale.” In his film, Anderson suggests that we DO have clear signs of Christ's return, and it will be AFTER the Tribulation period. Anderson says at 1:27:05 in the film, and I quote, “The Rapture simply cannot happen at any moment.” Pastor Anderson says that the Antichrist must first come to power, and the sun and moon shall be darkened, before Christ can return at the Rapture. Anderson does believe in a Rapture, but he says it will happen after the horrors of the Tribulation period. Again, the preceding scenario creates so many illogical, impossible and problematic issues that it can easily be debunked by any HONEST Bible student.
Steve Anderson says that it is unbiblical to teach that Christ may return at any time without warning. Anderson says dogmatically at 1:26:30 in his film, “The Day Of Christ is NOT at hand!” Pastor Anderson is teaching blatant heresy!!! Anderson claims that the Pre-Tribulation Rapture is based upon tradition and not the Bible. Pastor Anderson is wrong, wrong, wrong!!!
I have already given you my PROOF of a Pre-Tribulation Rapture, but here's some more information from the great man of God, author of over 200 books and mighty evangelist, Dr. John R. Rice...
II. No One Knows Even Approximately When Jesus Will Come
In the Olivet discourse the Saviour discusses the second coming. The clearest point in all His teaching on the second coming is that no one knows when it will be. Consider Mark 13:32-37:
"But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cock crowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch."Now observe the clear teaching of the Saviour that no man can know the time:
1. The angels do not know when Jesus will come.
2. The Lord Jesus Himself while on earth did not know when He would return.
3. Jesus said His second coming was so wholly unpredictable that it was illustrated by the servants waiting for their master's return. The master might come in the evening, midnight, cock-crowing or in the morning. In this world no one can foretell even approximately when Jesus will return and when this age will end. If the more than nineteen hundred years which have already elapsed since Christ promised to return be divided up into four watches or periods to represent evening, midnight, cock-crowing and morning, we find that Jesus is saying that no one can know even within centuries of the time of His return.
4. The all-important teaching of Jesus about His return is that He may come at any moment. His coming is imminent.SOURCE: Evangelist John R. Rice (1895-1980), chapter 3 from the excellent book, We Can Have Revival Now
Tribulation Or Wrath?
The book of Revelation details the wars, famines, pestilences, horrors, beheadings, disasters and most frightening nightmares imaginable come to life. No science-fiction tops the shocking reality of the prophecies given to mankind in Revelation. Pastor Anderson alleges that none of this comprises the Tribulation period. Anderson claims that there is NO such thing as the Tribulation, which is a total denial of Daniel's 70th week. Anderson claims that believers go through personal tribulation (2nd Timothy 3:12), but he utterly denies a 7-yeasr event called the “Tribulation.” The word “Tribulation” comes from Matthew 24:21, “For then shall be GREAT TRIBULATION, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.” How Angry Is God Over Sin? (God will inflict the horrors of the Tribulation upon the world).
The Tribulation will be a time of God's wrath poured out upon the world. Isaiah 13:11 teaches us that God is going to punish the world for their evil. Revelation 16:9-11 says that God's judgments upon mankind will cause people to gnaw their tongues in pain, yet they still won't repent toward God. This happens during the 7-year Tribulation period, which is Daniel's 70th week in prophecy. Steve Anderson doesn't even mention Daniel's 70th week, because he doesn't understand the Bible and is misleading millions of people.
It's really sad to see such a firecracker kind of guy, zealous as can be, half-cocked and running with a big heresy, making a fool out of himself in Heaven's view. Steve Anderson uses human reasoning, totally ignoring the entire Old Testament, forming heresies based upon speculation which all center around unsound rubbish. Check and see, and you'll find it's true, that the heretics denying the Pre-Tribulation Rapture totally ignore Daniel's 70th week and the preponderance of Old Testament prophecies. I can understand how someone could form a Post-Tribulational view if they don't use the Scriptures to form their opinions.
Pastor Steve Anderson, Kent Hovind, and other Pre-Trib Opponents, DON'T take into consideration the entire witness of the Scriptures. Alex Jones doesn't even know any Bible. I like Alex Jones, but he frustrates his Christian listeners when he makes bold spiritually corrupt statements, errant assumptions and misleads millions of people. Alex lacks spiritual discernment and he's arrogant about his false views, which is the worst possible combination. Look again at the list of doctrinal differences which I presented to you earlier, and you cannot possibly reconcile the Rapture with the Second Coming to occur at the SAME time. It's just not possible!
Pastor Anderson alleges that the reason why so many Christians are misled (as he claims) to believe in a Pre-Trib Rapture is because they are confused between God's wrath verses Tribulation. Anderson attempts to discredit the Pre-Trib Rapture by pointing out that the Bible mentions the word “tribulation” 22 times in the New Testament without ever mentioning a Rapture (I did a search and found 21 occurrences of the word).
Consider that the Bible never actually calls homosexuality a “sin,” which homosexual ministers have used extensively in a sinful attempt to justify their wickedness. They claim that God never called homosexuality a sin. It's a perversion of the truth, as Romans 1:25 foretold the wicked would do. Any honest person after reading Romans 1:24-32, Jude 1:7, Colossians 3:5-6, 1st Corinthians 6:9-10 and Genesis 19:1-13 would be 100% convinced that homosexuality is a horrible sin that brings the judgment of a righteous God. Anderson wrestles and twists the Scriptures to support his unbiblical position. Anderson completely attacks the word tribulation, totally disregarding all of the Old Testament passages which prophesy of a coming time of Tribulation in the world. Please read, Pre-Trib Evidence.
I am quite surprised how shallow Pastor Anderson's presentation is, totally disregarding the entire Old Testament. He's no better than Alex Jones' shallow Bible teaching, spewing half-baked doctrines which are totally lacking Biblical substance. The Bible is like a big puzzle. The way you solve a puzzle is by comparing one piece with another. If a particular suggested interpretation or doctrine doesn't fit with the entire Bible in agreement, then you know you have the wrong interpretation. When all of the Bible is in agreement, then you know that you have the correct meaning. In a puzzle, you assemble the outside frame first, and then work your way from general to specific. That's how you study the Bible correctly, comparing spiritual with spiritual, line upon line, and precept upon precept, here a little and there a little (Isaiah 28:10).
Pastor Anderson and Alex Jones haven't got passed general teachings. Watch Steven Anderson's video AFTER THE TRIBULATION and you'll notice that he TOTALLY avoids the Old Testament, because he hasn't studied. And so by ignoring the specific and complete study of the Bible, these men are teaching doctrines of devils. You've got professed Christians who casually read the Bible, forming opinions and final conclusions without proper diligent study. The average person is a lazy thinker and relies upon others to teach them about God. If that's you, then at least be honest and careful enough to realize that there are many ways to interpret the Bible, but there's only ONE TRUTHFUL INTERPRETATION. Are you willing to risk being wrong? In the case of the Rapture, either the Lord's return is imminent or it's not. Pastor Anderson says that Jesus' imminent return is a fairy-tale, a lie, untrue! In sharp contrast, Jesus taught that even the angels in Heaven don't know when the Lord is going to return. Jesus plainly stated in Mark 13...
Mark 13:32-37, “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.”
Anderson says that Mark 13:32-37 speaks concerning the Second Coming of Christ and not the Rapture. The Bible teaches that Christians will be delivered from the wrath to come in the Tribulation, but Anderson says the opposite, that is, he teaches that Christians will suffer the horrors of the Tribulation period under the reign of the Antichrist. Pastor Anderson doesn't even mention Daniel's 70th week (which is clearly the 7-year Tribulation period). Has he studied the Bible? The Old Testament contains much prophecy concerning the future. In Daniel 9:24-25 we learn that half-way (3 1/2 years) into the 70th week, the Antichrist will proclaim to be god and the temple sacrifices in Jerusalem will cease. Biblically, Israel is the center of the world, which is important to remember when trying to understand Biblical prophecy. ...
Daniel 9:24-27, “Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.”
The Bible refers to the Great Tribulation as the Time Of Jacob's Trouble...
Jeremiah 30:7, “Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.”
Anderson attempts to separate God's wrath from the Tribulation period, saying that God's wrath comes AFTER the Tribulation; but the Bible is abundantly clear that the Tribulation will be a time of God pouring out His anger and fury upon the wicked. The book of Revelation reveals all of the horrors of the 7-year Tribulation in which BILLIONS of people will be killed. Anderson is trying to downplay the Biblical teaching that God will Rapture the saints to deliver them from His wrath poured out against the wicked during the Tribulation. Paul said to comfort one another with the teaching of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture (1st Thessalonians 4:17-18). What comfort would there be if we're going through the horrifying Tribulation? God delivered Noah and his family from the judgment of the flood. God delivered righteous Lot and his family from Sodom before He utterly destroyed it. Jeremiah 30:1-7 and Daniel 9:23-27 are very important to understand the purpose of the Tribulation. Steven Anderson totally ignores the Old Testament in his presentation.
Notice carefully in the following lengthy passage of Scripture (which is the sole basis of Brother Anderson's Pre-Wrath Rapture position, that the angels are commanded to gather the elect (saved) “from one end of HEAVEN to the other.” The angels are gathering the saints from HEAVEN, NOT EARTH. I mean, if we're going to take this passage literally (as we ought to). ...
Matthew 24:24-31, “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”
What happens “AFTER THE TRIBULATION”? As you plainly read for yourself above... JESUS CHRIST'S SECOND COMING!!! The saints in Heaven are gathered to return WITH THE LORD to the earth. Jesus came 2,000 years ago TO His own. The Lord is coming at the Rapture FOR His own. And then 7-years later AFTER THE TRIBULATION, Jesus is coming WITH His own to the earth.
The reason why 2nd Timothy 2:15 commands us as believers to “RIGHTLY DIVIDE” the Scriptures is because God wrote His Word in such a manner that to understand it, you must cross-reference Scripture-with-Scripture. A Bible student must NEVER base a doctrine upon one Scripture. By lifting a text out of the context, you can easily change the meaning to mean something untrue. The proper interpretation of a particular Bible passage is identified when a suggested meaning agrees with the whole of Scripture.
And may I say, although Matthew, Mark, Luke and
John (the writers of the four Gospels) weren't aware of the “mystery” (1st
Corinthians 15:52-57) of the Rapture, Jesus understood all things, which is
why He was able to prophecy in vivid details about conditions which will
exist during the Tribulation period. Although the Lord didn't know the
timing of the Rapture (Mark 13:32), He certainly knew that it would occur
(Mark 13:33-37). In Mark chapter 13, Jesus is teaching His disciples about
future events, but then in verse 33 He makes a personal appeal to them to be
on their toes, and WATCH, because they don't know when the Rapture may
happen, lest they get caught off guard not faithfully serving their Lord and
Master. The only prophetic event which happens without warning is the
Rapture, which irrefutable can only mean that it happens BEFORE the
Tribulation period (otherwise we'd know exactly WHEN Christ is returning,
down to the very day). Pastor Anderson even sets a date (a big no no), for
75 days after The Abomination Of Desolation). I respectfully disagree with
Pastor Anderson, although I respect anyone's right to disagree with me.
More Proof That The Bible Teaches A Pre-Tribulation Rapture
Notice in 1st Corinthians 15:51-54 that the saints will be raptured, caught up and changed in the twinkling of an eye (also see Philippians 3:21 about having our bodies fashioned like unto the Lord's body)...
1st Corinthians 15:51-54, “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.”
IF all believers are indeed Raptured AFTER a time of tribulation as Pastor Anderson alleges, then how will human beings enter into the millennial kingdom? I SUNK YOUR BATTLESHIP!!! Isaiah 65:20, “There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed.” If a child is going to DIE AN HUNDRED YEARS OLD, the child is still going TO DIE! This is not the corruption putting on incorruption which happens at the Rapture (1st Corinthians 15:51-54)! Where do those human bodies come from to enter the millennium? The Bible also teaches that Satan will be released from the bottomless Pit toward the end of the 1,000 years to tempt mankind (Revelation 20:3), which means that human beings will be present.
Post-Tribulation proponents cannot account for this problem. Again, as with umpteen other cases, ONLY a Pre-Tribulation Rapture is logical and fits the puzzle of prophecy. Ironically, Steven Anderson and Alex Jones boldly call Pre-Tribulation adherents ignorant and deceived by Satan. It's the other way around my friend. Alex Jones has clung to Steve Anderson for theological support, as a secondary authority, because he cannot use the Bible to defend his heresy!
Anderson teaches that Matthew 24:36 refers to Christ's Second Coming and not the Rapture, “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” But that makes no sense because we know from the Abomination of Desolation that it will be 1,260 days from that event until Christ's return. So we would know EXACTLY when Christ would return. Interestingly Steve Anderson DOESN'T teach about the Post-Tribulation Rapture. As much as he attacks and desperately tries to discredit the Biblical teaching of a Pre-Trib Rapture, you'd think that he would explain WHAT HE DOES BELIEVE. In his lengthy film, he doesn't actually explain how a Post-Trib Rapture is differentiated between the Second Coming. He can't because it doesn't make sense doctrinally, so he doesn't go there.
Look and you'll see that critics of a Pre-Tribulation Rapture never really explain the difference between Christ's Second Coming and their idea of the Rapture. They just criticize diligent Bible scholars and ministers who preach a Pre-Trib Rapture, but they never really explain how their position relates to all of the other doctrines in the Bible. The Rapture doctrine relates to judgment, our new glorified body, the Millennium, the Second Coming, the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, the Judgment of the Nations, Israel, the Tribulation and hundreds of issues, and the POSITION you hold on WHEN the Rapture happens will affect everything else you believe. Stepping on a garden hose affects everything down stream.
The Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the Church is a vital doctrine of the Christian faith, which if corrupted will change a person's view of all the aforementioned doctrines and others. Again, carefully notice that Pastor Anderson fails to present a quality explanation of WHAT HE DOES BELIEVE. He spends his time in the video bashing other preachers who disagree with him, but he fails to explain all of the intricacies that easily disprove his teachings. If you consider all of the issues I have touched upon in this article, you can ONLY conclude a PRE-TRIBULATION RAPTURE!!! Anyone can be critical, but it requires diligent Bible study to properly discern prophecy.
I SUNK YOUR BATTLESHIP!!! (I haven't thought
about that old game for years, but it's fitting for this article. It was
kind of like bingo, but you'd sink your opponents battleship instead. When
you had a victory you'd shout, I SUNK YOUR BATTLESHIP!!! It's not that hard
to sink the Post-Tribulationist's ship, because they've riding on the
Titanic doctrinally!)
A Pre-Tribulation Rapture Is Biblical
A Post-Tribulation Rapture theory CANNOT explain where these people come from. If they're ALL raptured AFTER the Tribulation (at the same time Christ returns), then they should all be changed, mortality putting on immortality. Now if you believe a Pre-Tribulation Rapture, which is what the Bible teaches, then it all makes perfect sense. The people saved during the Tribulation are the humans who enter into the Millennium. They are the wheat (saved) left behind after the tares (unsaved) are removed from the four corners of the earth. Matthew 13:38, “The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one.” Jesus even calls the wheat the children of the kingdom. That is, they are entering bodily into the kingdom of Christ's Millennial reign.
In sharp contrast to the Rapture of the Saints FROM the earth, at the Second Coming 7-years later the Bible says that the Lord will return WITH TEN THOUSANDS OF HIS SAINTS...
Jude 1:14, “And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints.”
So here we see Biblically that at the Rapture the Lord will return FOR HIS OWN, but 7-years later at the Second Coming He'll return WITH HIS OWN. That's quite a difference!
One of the best books I've read on Biblical prophecy is Dr. Oliver B. Greene's PROPHECY! It's not free, but it taught me a lot about prophecy. I learned from Dr. Greene that Jesus is the capstone of the pyramid of prophecy (Revelation 19:10), and that prophecy is history written in advance! Those are pretty great statements. Unlike Steve Anderson's film, Dr. Greene's books are packed with a ton of Scriptures! Don't rely on the internet for your doctrines! Order some quality Christian books on prophecy from The Sword Of The Lord. Here's a thorough, free, excellent exegesis on Biblical prophecy by Dr. Max D. Younce (.PDF file).
Although Jesus never started “the Baptist
Church,” I choose to be an
Independent Fundamental Baptist because their churches are doctrinally
correct (if they're genuine Fundamental Baptists who stick to the
fundamentals of the Bible, like a Pre-Trib Rapture. If your church teaches
anything other than a Pre-Trib Rapture, get out! I wouldn't spend 5 seconds
in a church that doesn't believe and teach that Jesus may return at any
moment.
The Hypocrisy Of Alex Jones' And Pastor Steven Anderson's Post-Trib Teaching
I can't believe that Pastor Anderson says Jesus is not coming back without warning at any time. That's apostasy and heresy! The entire message of Jesus was that He may return at any time, so believers had better be on their toes, faithfully serving God. 1st John 3:2, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” The Bible plainly teaches that it's the hope of Christ's coming that motivates believers to “PURIFIETH HIMSELF,” even as Jesus is pure. So if Christ ISN'T coming at any time, this Scripture makes no sense. There is no need for hope, because we know that Christ cannot come (if Pastor Anderson is correct) until after the sun and moon are darkened and all the events of Revelation unfold.
According to Alex Jones and Steve Anderson, Christians are NOT concerned, nor are they fighting against the New World Order, because they think that the Rapture is going to rescue them from the tribulation to come. The irony is that they're causing the very problem they claim to be solving with the heresy of a Post-Tribulation Rapture. By teaching that Jesus will not return until all the horrible things in Revelation happen first, all motivation is gone to be ready for the Lord's return! The New Testament repeatedly teaches to be ready because we do NOT know when Christ will return. Jesus' disciples asked Him when He was going to return in Mark 13:33-37. Here's Jesus' response...
Mark 13:33-37, “Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.”
Steve Anderson claims that this passage ONLY refers to the unsaved who aren't paying attention. Anderson says that Christians are aware of the time and KNOW exactly when the Lord will return, that is, AFTER the tribulation events of Revelation. Anderson denies an event called the Tribulation. Of course, Mr. Anderson is very wrong and doesn't know what he's talking about, respectfully. As you just read, Jesus told His apostles (saved, born-again, Christians) to be ready because NO ONE knows when the Lord is going to return. Christ's immanency (imminent return) is the central theme of all His prophetic teachings. The element of surprise has been the Biblical motivation for believers to live right and stay busy for God for the past 2,000 years.
The Post-Trib teaching of Alex Jones and Pastor Anderson are actually encouraging professed believers to relax and NOT stay busy for God, because they KNOW when He will return (or better said, they know when Jesus WON'T return). The After The Tribulation film teaches that Jesus is NOT coming at any time. So where is the motivation to serve God? Granted, we should serve God out of love and gratitude; however, the New Testament plainly uses the uncertain timing of Christ's imminent return as a compelling motivation to be faithful about doing the Master's work, because He may return at any time. As you just read in Mark 13:33-37, Jesus said to “WATCH,” lest the Master return and FIND YOU SLEEPING! Jesus was plainly speaking to His disciples and not the unsaved.
Jesus did foretell in Matthew 24:37-39 that in the End Times it would return as in the days of Noah, when unsaved people were eating, drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, and they KNEW NOT UNTIL THE FLOOD CAME and took them all away. Notice carefully that Jesus DIDN'T tell the unsaved heathens to WATCH. Rather, Jesus told all believers, His disciples, to WATCH for His certain and imminent, but untimely return. Clearly, this is solid evidence of a Pre-Tribulation Rapture as the Bible proclaims. Pastor Anderson deceitfully says that there's not one verse in the Bible that teaches a Pre-Trib Rapture or Tribulation period; yet he fails to make the connections as I just plainly showed you from Mark 13:33-37. Why would Jesus teach His disciples to “WATCH” if Christ cannot return until AFTER the sun and moon are darkened, the Antichrist comes to power and there is World Government as Anderson falsely claims? The Bible screams a Pre-Trib Rapture loud and clear, but you have to rightly divide the word of truth.
The Pre-Tribulation Rapture Plain And Simple
Wisdom Of God
Verses The Wisdom Of Man
I am convinced that Alex and Mike mean well, but they are wading in dangerous waters. When you enter into the realm of teaching spiritual matters, you are treading on holy ground. I've been saved for over 30-years and I know the Bible. Jesus said in John 5:39 to SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES! We are told in 2nd Timothy 2:15, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Alex and Mike haven't studied the Words of God, and so they WRONGLY divide the Scriptures...
2nd Peter 3:14-18, “Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”
Notice that they who are UNLEARNED and UNSTABLE wrest (twist) the Scriptures to their own destruction (damnation). They are led away with the ERROR OF THE WICKED. And finally, notice in verse 18 that the Bible admonishes us to grow in grace, and in THE KNOWLEDGE OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST!!! Alex has been led into the error of the wicked. Our text verse says:
Colossians 2:8, “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”
The word spoil in the Greek is sulagogeo and means “to lead away as booty, that is, to seduce.” Booty is goods or money obtained illegally. Hence, the Bible warns that we should look and be on guard, lest Satan sinfully lead us away from Christ through philosophies, vain deceit and the established secular principles.
Alex Jones is one of the most influential people in America today, reaching out to millions of listeners and viewers each day. Unfortunately, Alex almost daily promotes the heresy of a Post Tribulation Rapture. I have spent much time watching Alex's and Mike Adams' new videos, and have written separate articles (see below), because there was much that needed to be addressed. I must have watched and listened to each video a dozen times. I've been very busy the past few days contending for the Christian faith. It's not like I enjoy exposing heretics, especially not when I have to preach against the straying away of friends from the truth.
Alex Jones' “Stairway To The Universe” Video
Mike Adam's False Plan Of Redemption
Alex Jones And Bashing Preachers
Alex has been bashing churches and preachers regularly on his show. If anyone in this country ought to be thanked and holy hands uplifted—it's preachers on the firing line for God. I heard Alex say on February 1, 2013 that his daily show is there to straighten out America's preachers. Kindly, Alex is writing-off all preachers as a whole. Alex regularly expresses contempt for preachers in general. I've noticed that there's a common hatred and contempt for preachers these days. I realized one day that many people are just preacher-haters and are always scrutinizing preachers to find any and every sin, fault and mistake they can find.
False doctrines plague the internet! From the lie of Lordship Salvation to the Post-Tribulation Rapture heresy, Satan is working relentlessly to steal, kill and destroy! One thing that stood out to me as I watched Steve Anderson's film is that he woefully ignores the Old Testament Scriptures. He also fails to reconcile his position with all the problems it creates. A Post-Tribulation Rapture heresy creates hundreds of doctrinal problems, irreconcilable contradictions and blatant disregard for the holy Scriptures.
It's not what you're doing that gets you to Heaven, it's where you're looking. Look to Jesus.